chapman



(No Model.)

0. D. CHAPMAN.

BERRY CRATE.

Patented Dec. 6,1881.

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WITNESSES INVBNTOR ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CYRUS D. CHAPMAN, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY.

BERRY-CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,341, dated December 6, 1881.

Application filed April 20, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CYRUs D. CHAPMAN, of Irvington, Essex county, New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Berry-Crate, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to'provide a new and improved crate for berry baskets, which is so constructed that all the baskets can be placed in the crate or taken out of the same simultaneously whereby examination and inspection of the berries is greatly facilitated.

The invention consists of a frame with several platforms for receiving the baskets, and with a handle formed of a longitudinal bar, which connects the upper ends of the end standards of this frame, by means of which handle the frame can be carried very conveniently and passed into and out of an external frame, into which it fits. The inner frame is provided at the lower end with a hinged latch for holding the inner frame in position when raised.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of myimproved berry-crate, showing the inner frame raised. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional elevation of the same, showing the inner frame contained in the outer frame.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The inner frame consists of two end uprights, A, with transverserails B, connected at the ends by uprights O U. Sla ts D D are fastened to the ends of the transverse rails B at such distancesfrom each other thatthe baskets can pass down in between these slats untilthe baskets rest against the adjoiningedges of the slats D, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The uppermost transverse rail B is attached to the uprights A a short distance from the upper end, and the upper ends of these uprights are connected by a longitudinal rail, E, which serves as a handle for the inner frame.

This inner frame fits in an external frame, which is of such a height that the rail E is within this external casing or frame, which is provided with a lid, F. This external frame is made of uprights G and slats H in the ordinary manner.

A cam or latch, J, is pivoted to one of the uprights 0, near the bottom of the same, and when the inner frame is raised the cam or latch J is drawn outward-to rest on the uppermost slat H of the external frame, thus holding the inner frame in a raised position, as

shown in Fig. 1.

The baskets are placed in the inner frame, and the internal frame is passed intothe external frame, (the lid of which is raised,) and is supported in this position by the cam or latch J. This internal frame is used to collect the baskets in the field, and permits placing the baskets in the crate in such a manner that one basket does not bruise the berries in the other baskets.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with a basket-supporting frame, of a cam or latch pivoted thereto and an external frame or casing into which the basket-supporting frame fits, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination,with the uprights A and G,of the transverse rails B,the slats D, the rail E, forming the internal basket supporting frame, and of the uprights G", and the slats H, forming the external frame, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

CYRUS D. CHAPMAN.

Witnesses:

EDGAR TAT 0scAR F. GUNZ. 

